Ignoring divide, lawmakers rally behind PM

ISLAMABAD - The lawmakers from opposition and treasury in the National Assembly Thursday stood behind Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, rejecting the demands from certain political parties for the resignation of the PM and the dissolution of the National Assembly. Supporting current democratic system in the country, the house amid desk-thumping unanimously passed a resolution against unconstitutional demands for the resignation of the premier and the dissolution of the National Assembly.The strong-worded resolution, moved by PkMAP chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai, deplored the extremely derogatory, defamatory and inflammatory language used by leaders and members of these parties in their speeches. “This house resolves to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the sovereignty of the Parliament which embodies the will and the mandate of the people of Pakistan and the prevalence of the rule of law,” says the resolution and reiterates its resolve to ensure that the democratic system continues to function and flourish in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. The legislators, mainly from the opposition benches, were seen comparatively relaxed as compared to previous NA session after these sit-ins in Islamabad. The house also witnessed laughter, chit-chat jovial atmosphere during the speeches against both Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri.Some senior lawmakers, including Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Opposition Leader Khursheed Shah, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, PkMAP chief Mehmood khan Achakzai were also seen whispering in each other’s ears in a serious mood. Supporting democratic system in the country, PML-N’s senior lawmaker, Tehmina Doulatana, said they would not let Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resign as the people of Pakistan gave him a heavy mandate. “What is the fault of the prime minister and why should he resign?” she added.Doulatana said they sacrificed for the country and democracy in the country. “We will continue our efforts to strengthen democracy and the country,” she said, adding most of the participants in these sit-ins were even unaware of the cause of this so-called revolutionary effort. “We need not so-called new Pakistan. We don’t like confrontation but dialogue is the best option,” she said and deplored the situation of the participants of the marches staying in a miserable condition. She also raised slogans “Pakistan Zindabad”, ending her speech in favour of the present democratic system in the country. QWP Chief Aftab Khan Sherpao, on his turn, strongly condemned use of inflammatory language against Nawaz Sharif and Khursheed Shah. “Because of the present situation in Islamabad, Sri Lankan prime minister has postponed his visit to our country,” he said, holding both Imran and Qadri responsible for it.“All the political parties are on the same page against them as they pushed themselves to isolation,” he said proposing that dialogue process should be adopted to resolve the deadlock situation.Appreciating ruling clique for showing patience, he said over 300 MNAs had reposed confidence in Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the current democratic system. However, he was of the view that win-win situation should always be for the nation and the parliament. Another ruling party lawmaker, Maj (r) Tahir Iqbal strongly criticised Imran Khan for using defamatory language against the prime minister. “Come what may, our quaid will not resign. Imran Khan cannot become a PM through backdoors,” he maintained. “Women participants are in pathetic situation and both Imran Khan and TahirUl Qadri are responsible for it,” he said, adding Imran Khan should not play the role of ‘Gullu Butt’ in Islamabad.He further said that despite the announcement of resignations, some PTI lawmakers have marked their presence in the house.Another ruling party legislator, Shahnawaz Ranjha, challenged Imran Khan for a debate about his demands. “Nobody can harass us. It is constitutional right of all parliamentarians to move freely,” he added. PPP lawmaker Sattar Bachani asked the prime minister to take the house into confidence about the government’s future course of action. “It was better for Imran Khan to organise musical show rather than this so-called sit-in,” he said and made a mockery of those talking about ‘revolution’ in the country by this way. “It is really very strange as now people like Ch Shujaat will bring a change,” he remarked.MQM MNA Asif Hasnain said they would accept the decision of the parliament in this situation. Ejaz-ul-Haq , on his turn, said only 38 lawmakers cannot decide the fate of the parliament. “I would sacrifice myself for democracy in the country,” he said and asked Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri to let the dialogue process move forward under the law and Constitution.Another PPP lawmaker Nouman Islam Sheikh criticised Imran Khan for using derogatory language against Khursheed Shah and Nawaz Sharif. “What kind of culture Imran Khan is introducing in his rally,” he said.